Building Permits

View the City’s Data Policy

The 2020 Indiana Residential Code (based on the 2018 International Code) will now be in effect by the State.  This will include the State of Indiana Amendments. 2020 IRC.

A free viewing of the Code Book.

Beginning February 1, 2020, and per IRC 310.1, ALL NEW HOME APPLICATIONS MUST ALSO INCLUDE A BASEMENT PLAN THAT SHOWS AT LEAST ONE EMERGENCY EGRESS WINDOW OR DOOR FOR A COMMON SPACE.  The requirement, amended out by the State in the previous Residential Code, is now required for the 2020 Indiana Residential Code (2018 International Residential Code).

YES! You need a permit for that.

Example of SITE PLAN TO SCALE

Fee Schedule 2026 – Now accepting VISA, Discover & Mastercard, Please note as of January 1st, 2026, the minimum permit fee is $60.00.

Applications can be emailed to us at building@southbendin.gov or sent into our office for review.

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Online Available Permits

• City Residential Renovation Permit Application  (Includes Roofing, Siding, Windows and Doors)

Commercial Building Permits

***DIGITAL PLANS ONLY***

• Change of Occupancy Application
• Commercial NEW Construction Addition or Interior Remodel Build Out
  • State Release
• Commercial Interior Demolition Permit Application
• Commercial Demolition Application
  • Utility Retirement Form
  • Demolition Guidelines
  • Indiana Demolition and Renovation Requirements
• Commercial Fence Permit Application (City)
• Commercial Fence Permit Application (County)
• Commercial Roofing Siding Permit Application
• Commercial Temporary Trailer Application

Residential Building Permits

RESIDENTIAL PERMITTING PROCESS

City Property Permit Applications

• • City ADU Permit Application
    • Must also complete City New House Permit Application or City Residential Renovation Permit Application
  • City Moving Permit Application
  • City New House Permit Application
    • Energy Code Compliance
  • City New Manufactured or Modular House Permit Application
  • City Residential Accessory Permit Application
  • City Residential Addition Permit Application
    • Energy Code Compliance
  • City Residential Chimney Permit Application
  • City Residential Demolition Permit Application
    • Utility Retirement Form
    • Demolition Guidelines
  • City Residential Fence Permit Application
  • City Residential Masonry Permit Application
  • City Residential Renovation Permit Application
  • City Residential Roofing Permit Application
  • City Residential Siding Permit Application
  • City Residential Swimming Pool Permit Application
  • City Residential Temporary Tent or Trailer Application
  • City Residential Windows Doors Permit Application
  • City Residential Permit Renewal Application

• City Only Pre-Approved Building Plan Application
• Build South Bend: Pre-Approved Building Plan Sets – South Bend Indiana (southbendin.gov)

County Property Permit Applications

• County Moving Permit Application
• County New House Permit Application
  • Energy Code Compliance
• County New Manufactured or Modular House Permit Application
• County Residential Accessory Permit Application
• County Residential Addition Permit Application
  • Energy Code Compliance
• County Residential Chimney Permit Application
• County Residential Demolition Permit Application
  • Utility Retirement Form
  • Demolition Guidelines
• County Residential Fence Permit Application
• County Residential Masonry Permit Application
• County Residential Renovation Permit Application
• County Residential Roofing Permit Application
• County Residential Siding Permit Application
• County Residential Swimming Pool Permit Application
• County Residential Temporary Tent or Trailer Application
• County Residential Windows Doors Permit Application
• County Residential Permit Renewal Application

Mechanical Building Permits

Electrical

• Electrical Permit Application
  • Residential Rewire/Upgrade
• Application for Electrical Permit- Solar
  • Solar Installers Guidelines
  • Solar Photovoltaic Permit Application Guidelines
    • For ground-mounted solar panels, an Accessory/Foundation Permit must be issued prior to obtaining the Solar Electrical Permit, for City properties and County properties.
• Application for Electrical Permit- Residential EV Charger- Not in ROW
• Application for Electrical Permit- Commercial EV Charger- Not in ROW
• Application for Electrical Permit- Commercial EV Charger In ROW
  • Electric Vehicle Charger Permitting Checklist
  • Electric Vehicle Charger Inspection Checklist

Plumbing

• Plumbing Permit Application

HVAC

• HVAC Permit Application
  • GAS SAFETY PRESSURIZATION TEST
  • PRUEBA DE SEGURIDAD DE PRESURIZACIÓN DEL GAS

Cell Tower and Sign Building Permits

New Cell Tower Permit Application- Building Department

New Cell Tower Applications and Sign Permit Applications for City Properties must be submitted to the County Planning & Zoning Department  or City Zoning.  These applications may go through review concurrently.

Application for Additions, Collocations, and Substantial Modifications to Existing Towers, must be submitted to the Building Department Only.  Please contact the Building Department regarding Demolition/Removal of Cell Towers or Equipment.

Sign Permits

Sign Permit Applications for County Properties must be submitted to County Planning & Zoning for approval.  Once an Improvement Location Permit has been issued, that document must be brought to the Building Department, along with applicable fees, for permits.

Sign Permit Applications for City Properties must be submitted to and permitted by City Zoning only.

Required Residential Inspections

Contractor Licenses/Registrations

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